AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885
DECEMBER 7, 2005
SILVER SPRING MAN SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR POSSESSION OF A SILENCER
Planned to Use the Silencer in a Scheme to Kill His Ex-wife
GREENBELT, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces that today U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. sentenced Arthur Wayne Clemmer, age 57, of Silver Spring, Maryland to 10 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for the unlawful possession of a silencer. Clemmer pleaded guilty on September 22, 2005.
According to the statement of facts presented at his guilty plea, on May 27, 2005, Arthur Clemmer approached an individual and discussed his intention to kill his ex-wife, because of a long standing civil dispute. Clemmer thought this individual might be willing to commit a murder-for-hire, but the individual refused to participate in the scheme. Clemmer then asked if he knew anyone who could help Clemmer obtain a silencer. The individual tried to talk Clemmer out of his plan, but Clemmer persisted. The individual then contacted law enforcement.
On May 31, 2005, under the supervision of law enforcement officers, the individual placed a telephone call to Clemmer. During the conversation, the individual told Clemmer that he knew someone who could provide a “device,” which the parties understood to mean a silencer. When asked if he was sure that he wanted to go through with the plan, Clemmer said that he was sure. The individual then told Clemmer that he could introduce Clemmer to another individual who could supply Clemmer with a silencer. Clemmer agreed.
On June 3, 2005 and June 6, 2005, a Montgomery County Police detective, acting in an undercover capacity, talked with Clemmer by telephone. During these recorded conversations, the detective told Clemmer that he had a silencer he was willing to sell to Clemmer and asked if Clemmer “wanted some help,” suggesting that he might be willing to assist with the actual killing. Clemmer said that all he needed was the “device.” Because the silencer was not designed to fit on a gun he already possessed, Clemmer indicated that he would need a firearm which would accommodate the silencer. Clemmer agreed to meet the detective on June 6, 2005, to purchase the firearm and silencer.
On June 6, 2005, Clemmer arrived at a Home Depot parking lot in Germantown, Maryland, and got into the undercover detective’s vehicle, which was equipped to make both audio and video recordings. The detective then showed Clemmer a silencer attached to a .22 caliber pistol, and said that this combination would cost $1,500. Clemmer agreed and counted out $1,500 from the $2,000 he had with him. The detective asked Clemmer if he was serious about going through with the plan, and Clemmer confirmed his intention to kill his ex-wife. The detective asked how Clemmer intended to kill her, and Clemmer responded by pointing his index finger to his temple (as if pointing a gun) and saying that he was going to shoot his ex-wife there. Clemmer said that he had been planning out the details of the shooting and would ensure that there was nothing left behind to implicate the detective in the shooting.
The detective exited the car, leaving Clemmer in possession of the silencer and .22 caliber pistol. Other officers then placed Clemmer under arrest.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Montgomery County Police Department for the investigative work performed in this case. Mr. Rosenstein also praised Assistant United States Attorney Barbara S. Skalla, who prosecuted the case.